Superfoods – Why You Should Eat Them

If you have had any confusion about superfoods, here’s what sorted it out for me. Superfoods really began to take on an identity when David Wolfe began delving into raw food prior to the 21st Century. I found him on the Internet when he and two other partners started telling everyone about raw food and how great it was. As time progressed, I kept seeing David introducing foods that were from all over the world. Some he called “superfoods” which was the first time I began hearing that word. Over the last three years, I have seen more and more reference to “superfoods” – both pros and cons. Plus including a lot of our traditional foods in this category. I fell into this same hole, logically associating superfoods with the dictionary definitions of both “super” and “food.”

When I realized this wasn’t making sense, I went looking to see what David Wolfe had to say. There’s a definition of sorts in David Wolfe’s book called “Superfoods” and as I read it, all the confusion about this subject fell away.

“Superfoods comprise a specific set of edible, incredibly nutritious plants that are not entirely classifiable as foods nor are they entirely classifiable as medicines (such as herbs).” Reference “Superfoods” by David Wolfe

To fully grasp this, I highly recommend you get the book so as to get the full idea of what David is saying here.

Why Eat Superfoods

When you look at superfoods as a whole new class of edible items (different from traditional foods and herbs), what are they good for?

I have found a way to replace most of the multitude of vitamin and mineral tablets I began adding to every meal years ago. When I began integrating superfoods into my diet, I found that I no longer needed to take so many vitamin pills and other supplements in pill or tablet form. What a relief!

Hemp Seed is one such superfood. I began taking hemp seed a few years ago as I was looking for a natural source of Vitamin E. The hemp seed is rich in Vitamin E and Omega Fatty Acids, and so much more. This item is listed as a superfood in David’s book.

Aloe Vera is another superfood I take. I was looking for something to normalize my digestive system. Since I am over 60, my various organs need more support. I really was unable to make any significant difference with traditional foods or supplements.

When I found I could buy the whole leaf of the aloe, and have it shipped to me, I tried it. The aloe is known to help nourish the liver and pancreas as well as other vital organs. I have found it to be an all-around whole-body food.

More Superfood Examples

Marine phytoplankton – This first appeared on the market through a network marketing company and I enjoyed it’s benefits early on. It has a wealth of minerals from the sea, among many vital other nutrients.

Coconut – I was doing research on various types of food in the 1970’s and came across the coconut oil (for the skin) in a healthfood store. It seemed to do something positive for my nervous system when I ate it. This was before it became available as an organic and raw, extra-virgin coconut oil as found today. Was I ever thrilled to find the more wholesome version many years later.

AFA (Aphanizomenom flos-aqua) Blue Green Algae – I first came across this particular blue green algae back in the 1990’s when a network marketing company began distributing it. I was looking for a food that would provide more energy and it certainly did just that! Now there are many more versions of this wonderful superfood.

More Familiar Superfoods

Cacao Beans – which I learned about through the writings and audio tapes of David Wolfe. It took me a while to get the fact that the chocolate that I ate as a child was different from raw chocolate made from the raw cacao beans. Now raw chocolate treats are a very pleasant part of my daily nutrition program.

Maca Root – again, this one I owe to David Wolfe. I don’t eat much of it but it definitely helps to balance hormones of the body.

Spirulina – I found this one back in the 1980’s. It’s been around for a long time. I first tried to use it as a protein replacement but that just didn’t work for me. I get a lot of value from it now by mixing a quarter teaspoon a day in my breakfast drink. I mainly use it for the array of vitamins and minerals not found in other foods. Spirulina is definitely very stabilizing.

So… I hope this helps you to sort through any confusion you’ve run into about superfoods. They really are in a “class” of their own. Evaluate them for yourself and see if you agree.